Reviews

If you want an unflinching insight into the rotting core of America, the neglected and left-for-dead rural and backwoods regions of our country, take the 1 hour and 42 minutes to watch “Hell or High Water.” David McKenzie directs this neo-Western/heist/thriller, with the backdrop to the action providing a portrait of a Texas still ravaged by the 2008 financial collapse. The political and socioeconomic undertones are less than subtle. As our redneck Robin Hoods drive beat-up old cars through bleak desert landscapes the camera lingers on billboards for payday loans and other predatory lending advertisements – the vultures circling the carcass of a starved cow. “Hell or High Water” is a fresh take on an old genre and a brilliant depiction of the soul-crushing nature of poverty. The audience isn’…

This album was released towards the beginning of the year, and was quite the frontrunner for myself in the earlier part of the year. It turns out there were 9 other albums that I ended up enjoying more than this work, but don’t let that fool you into thinking I don’t love the album itself. Interestingly enough, I actually think I enjoy Jay Som’s debut album Turn Into more than this one, but they are both on par as far as the level of comfort they bring to your ears when listening to them. Jay Som incorporates a lot of genre markers from the likes of emo, shoegaze, lo-fi, bedroom pop, and a few more to create an album that is great for drives to the beach, grilling outside, or any of those other warm weather activities that people enjoy. Favorite track: For Light…

The internet is the place we go to be someone else. Our online personas are often vastly different than our “irl” personalities. In some instances, this place is an escape from reality.

Not really a profound observation, right? What this common sentiment misses, though, is that we do the same exact thing even when we’re away from our glowing screens and clever usernames.

When then, are we genuine? How do we find out who people really are? One of the most authentic forms of communication is artistic expression. That’s why Basement Outpost wants to create a space that allows you to submit your thoughts and artistic creations for the world to see. Your submissions will be reviewed by our editor (me) and/or staff and later posted on the blog. They can be displayed with your name if you wish or with a username if you’d rather remain anonymous. The…